Made public from the Holy See Press Office this morning was a special communiqué regarding Benedict XVI’s forthcoming “Motu Proprio” on the use of the Missal promulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962.

The press release states that, "Yesterday afternoon in the Vatican, a meeting was held under the presidency of the Cardinal Secretary of State in which the content and spirit of the Holy Father's forthcoming 'Motu Proprio' on the use of the Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962 was explained to representatives from various episcopal conferences.”

According to the communiqué, “the Holy Father also arrived to greet those present, spending nearly an hour in deep conversation with them.”

"The publication of the document - which will be accompanied by an extensive personal letter from the Holy Father to individual bishops,” the Vatican release continued, “is expected within a few days, once the document itself has been sent to all the bishops with an indication of when it will come into effect.”

Following the modern revision of the Roman Missal in 1970, the Mass as standardized by Pius V in 1570 and continued by John XVIII in its 1962 form, has been allowed only with the permission or “indult” of the local bishop. The upcoming Motu Proprio is expected to allow any priest to celebrate the Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missal – though the Novus Ordo Mass (normally celebrated in the local vernacular) of 1970 is expected to remain the norm.